23 June 2001: My sister Beth made my wedding day perfect, because she brought Zig–not only that, but she made the cover for the saddle to keep my dress clean, and braided a strand of pearls into his tail.

Today’s poem is a haiku because I am having trouble even thinking about him, much less writing about him.

Until I married Tony, I’d never been so well taken care of by anyone–nor had so much fun nor been able to be myself as I really am. From the time we bought him in April 1986 until his death 24 years later, he was a good-hearted, kindly, giving presence in our lives.

He is deeply missed–most by my younger sister, pictured above, who cared for him and built her life around making sure he had everything he needed in his old age.